Factionalism, corruption and infighting might bring about the ANC’s downfall Photo biznews.com
Johannesburg – The African National Congress (ANC) is heading for disaster if it continues down the path it has chosen. Gwede Mantashe, ANC Chairperson, issued a strong warning to its members to shape up or risk losing their provinces in the upcoming elections.
Mantashe has a firm belief that the ANC is “under siege” and is being targeted. However, Prof. Sethulego Matebesi, a political analyst, doesn’t share that opinion. Instead, he says the ANC is in this position because of their own actions.
“The fact of the matter is corruption is affecting South Africans who are politicians. They are almost like playing a chess game with the lives of people and they don’t seem to understand the implications of some of these acts.”
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A coalition government is not the answer to stopping corruption
Over the past few years many ANC members have either been charged with corruption or suspected to have a hand in it. This has not gone unnoticed by the public and has undoubtedly been one of the leading causes to the downfall of the country. There have been calls for a coalition government in the hopes that it might help to get rid of corruption, but Matebesi has little hope it will.
“I don’t think corruption will be a thing of the past if you’ve got a coalition government. You do have local municipalities run by means of coalition and that does not mean corruption is not taking place. It doesn’t mean issues such as nepotism don’t take place. Corruption is not only about embezzling funds. It comes in different forms. For me it will be business as usual but at least you do have parties, that to a certain extent, will be monitoring what the others are doing and perhaps that will be a starting point.”
Absolute power corrupts absolutely
The main issue is that the ANC have gone unchallenged for far too long. They have grown bold in the ways they work. Although a coalition will not stop corruption, Matebesi is convinced it will wake the ANC up and help start the fight in corruption.
“I think the problem with the African National Congress is that it’s almost like a single dominated party that has been dominating our politics. That’s where the problem started. If they can bite the bullet at the ballot box maybe things will change … A coalition government will be one step to at least fighting corruption.”
Factionalism is tearing the ANC apart
The party’s biggest issue in the party is factionalism. This is well known and documented. Knowing this is not enough. The ANC have got to get it under control if they wish to survive, said Matebesi.
“Factionalism will forever remain within the African National Congress. The ANC needs to manage that. The problem now is you’ve got key ANC members fighting for their political life, fighting for their political career and those are your most dangerous people. They will do anything to try and prove their innocence and perhaps get rid of those who are advancing this so-called renewal.”
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Everybody has dirt on somebody, but nobody wants to talk
The backbone of any great democracy is the ability for people to speak out. However, in South Africa being a whistle-blower is asking for trouble.
“We have seen that being a whistle-blower comes with a very high price … We should encourage people to report corruption wherever it happens, but the reality is it comes at a high price.”
Many ANC members know of others who have engaged or are engaged in corruption but refuse to speak out, lest they are outed. This sort of thinking needs to be eradicated as it is destroying the country, said Matebesi.
“They know that no one will lay a case against them because they’re also holding so-called political ammunition against them. At the end of the day this is what is stifling our democracy, our progress in enhancing our economy.”
The ANC are heading down a dangerous road that could see them lose their political power in this country. For it to survive, it needs to address the many issues at the centre of the party and get the infighting under control.
